Transport passes
The Executive Yuan recently approved the central government’s promotion plan for the use of public transport, which would subsidize a NT$1,200 monthly public transport pass program for people who commute by bus, MRT, train or public bikes in Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung and Taoyuan in northern Taiwan.
In central and southern Taiwan, there would be two types of commuter passes: the “intercity pass” and “intracity pass.” Some other cities and counties could also develop passes. The Cabinet’s plan would take effect in July.
The NT$1,200 monthly pass, which would offer unlimited rides on public transport in northern Taiwan, is an upgrade of the current NT$1,280 pass for Taipei and New Taipei City, which is only applicable to buses and MRT trains. By expanding the scope to Keelung and Taoyuan, the policy would benefit commuters.
However, local governments should urge the central government to subsidize local bus operators to open more routes.
It should increase services and make transfers more convenient. Without sufficient routes and convenient transfers, the cheap passes might not convince commuters to drop the habit of driving or riding a scooter to work.
The notorious 9026 bus service connecting downtown Keelung with Taipei’s Nangang Bus Station only runs once an hour, so why would a monthly commuter pass be helpful?
If the local governments’ commuter passes are successful, they could be integrated to apply to all regions. For instance, if the pass for northern Taiwan can also be used in central, southern and eastern Taiwan during holidays, the passes are likely to boost local tourism.
Wang Chung-hsuan
Taipei
As strategic tensions escalate across the vast Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan has emerged as more than a potential flashpoint. It is the fulcrum upon which the credibility of the evolving American-led strategy of integrated deterrence now rests. How the US and regional powers like Japan respond to Taiwan’s defense, and how credible the deterrent against Chinese aggression proves to be, will profoundly shape the Indo-Pacific security architecture for years to come. A successful defense of Taiwan through strengthened deterrence in the Indo-Pacific would enhance the credibility of the US-led alliance system and underpin America’s global preeminence, while a failure of integrated deterrence would
It is being said every second day: The ongoing recall campaign in Taiwan — where citizens are trying to collect enough signatures to trigger re-elections for a number of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators — is orchestrated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), or even President William Lai (賴清德) himself. The KMT makes the claim, and foreign media and analysts repeat it. However, they never show any proof — because there is not any. It is alarming how easily academics, journalists and experts toss around claims that amount to accusing a democratic government of conspiracy — without a shred of evidence. These
Taiwan is confronting escalating threats from its behemoth neighbor. Last month, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army conducted live-fire drills in the East China Sea, practicing blockades and precision strikes on simulated targets, while its escalating cyberattacks targeting government, financial and telecommunication systems threaten to disrupt Taiwan’s digital infrastructure. The mounting geopolitical pressure underscores Taiwan’s need to strengthen its defense capabilities to deter possible aggression and improve civilian preparedness. The consequences of inadequate preparation have been made all too clear by the tragic situation in Ukraine. Taiwan can build on its successful COVID-19 response, marked by effective planning and execution, to enhance
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has upheld the core goals of “making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” fully implementing an “America first” policy. Countries have responded cautiously to the fresh style and rapid pace of the new Trump administration. The US has prioritized reindustrialization, building a stronger US role in the Indo-Pacific, and countering China’s malicious influence. This has created a high degree of alignment between the interests of Taiwan and the US in security, economics, technology and other spheres. Taiwan must properly understand the Trump administration’s intentions and coordinate, connect and correspond with US strategic goals.
RSS